May's Honorary Lady: Rufus Wainwright

You may remember that we debuted our "Honorary Lady" feature last month (April's was Antony Hegarty). The honorary lady is an artist who may not be female, but who in some way embodies the innovative spirit of Girl Germs - by challenging perceptions of gender, standing up for GLBT rights, contributing to the DIY scene, blazing trails for female artists or supporting feminist ideals.


This month we're honoring Canadian-American singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright. Wainwright is an accomplished, prolific and award-winning musician (he won a Juno award at the age of 25 for Best Alternative Album). Wainwright, who is gay, has been lauded by the Grammies, GQ and GLAAD alike. He participated in Cyndi Lauper's True Colors tour in 2007, which donated profits to the Human Rights Campaign.

One of the many things we at Girl Germs love about Wainwright is the fact that he often collaborates with women and is forthright about their influence on his life  - musically and personally. He not only makes great music on his own, but has worked with his mother, Kate McGarrigle (who sadly passed away this year), his sister Martha Wainwright, and his aunt Anna McGarrigle. His 2006 tribute concert to Judy Garland (backed by a 36-piece orchestra and featuring his mom, sister and Garland's daughter Lorna Luft) was released on CD and DVD in 2007, and is also not to be missed.

Rufus Wainwright's website
Rufus Wainwright myspace

Check him out performing on the Isaac Mizrahi show!